Every major loan program is open to you at this score. Calculator prefilled with an estimated rate for this range — adjust anything.
Compare rates and get pre-approved. Shopping multiple lenders can save tens of thousands over the life of a loan.
For educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Actual loan approval depends on credit score, employment history, and lender criteria. Consult a mortgage professional before making home buying decisions.
At 640, every major loan program is available: FHA at 3.5% down, conventional at 620+, VA if you've served, and — new at this level — USDA automated approval, which typically starts at 640 and offers zero-down loans on eligible rural and suburban-edge properties.
Conventional pricing is still mid-tier at this score, so it pays to compare an FHA quote against a conventional one. The crossover point where conventional clearly wins tends to arrive around 680–700, or sooner with a bigger down payment.
If you're buying outside a major metro, check USDA property eligibility — zero down with competitive rates is hard to beat, and this score clears the usual 640 automated-underwriting floor.
Take a buyer earning $85,000 a year, with $400/month in existing debt and $25,000 saved for a down payment, on a 30-year loan:
| Estimated rate at a 640 score | 6.95% |
| Max home price (bank approval estimate) | $252,000 |
| Estimated monthly payment (P&I + tax + insurance) | $1,980/mo |
| Same buyer with a 760+ score | $257,000 |
| Buying power cost of a 640 score | −$5,000 |
With less than 20% down on a conventional loan, PMI at this score typically runs $45–65 per month per $100,000 borrowed — meaningful, but it cancels automatically once you reach 20% equity.
At a 680 score (estimated 6.75%), the same buyer could afford about $254,000 — $2,000 more house for the same income and monthly budget. Each 20-point tier (660, 680, 700) buys a slightly better rate and cheaper PMI. Keep card utilization under 30%, avoid new credit before applying, and check all three reports for errors.
Rules and pricing change at 580, 620, 640, and every 20 points beyond. Pick your exact score, or use the main affordability calculator if credit isn't your constraint: